Alaska’s Lt. Governor, a Democrat, recently replaced the longtime state election director with a newcomer to elections, albeit one with local government experience and a background hailed by native Alaskan leaders currently engaged in litigation with the state. [UPDATED FROM ORIGINAL TO CORRECTLY IDENTIFY CURRENT AND FORMER GOVERNORS]

The Federal Voting Assistance Program at the Department of Defense has released its 2014 report, which shows some gains in participation by military and overseas voters but also highlights areas where the work continues to improve both voter-facing activities as well as data collection under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

A standing-room-only crowd in Richmond yesterday debated a proposal by the Virginia State Board of Elections to eliminate eligibility checkboxes from the voter registration form. It’s a thorny policy issue that strikes right at the heart of the access vs. integrity divide – but one that may become less intense as more voters register online AND might benefit from a better approach to design.

Alaska is currently considering whether to move forward with an initiative that would tie voter registration to Alaska Permanent Fund dividend applications. While the specifics are unique to Alaska, the plan is part of a new trend across America to link elections more closely to the everyday lives of current and potential voters.

Brian Newby’s latest ElectionDiary looks at a proposal by his colleague – Tabitha Lehman of Sedgwick County, KS – that would use a portion of political contributions to fund voting technology improvements. It’s a long shot, to be sure, but if nothing else it may kickstart a conversation about a problem that otherwise may run headlong into a fiscal buzzsaw of debt and taxpayer fatigue.